Tax Assessor's Office

My name is George Sopko and I work in Manville's Finance Department as the Tax Assessor. I graduated from Seton Hall University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and a minor in Business Administration. I am a Certified Tax Assessor with the New Jersey Division of Taxation and hold the MAI designation from the Appraisal Institute. I have worked for over thirty years as a Real Estate Appraiser and was appointed as the Commercial Property Assessor in Branchburg Township last year. I have served on the Watchung Borough Council and Planning Board for the last three years.

The Tax Assessor is in the office on Monday's from 3:00 pm-7:00 pm, Wednesday's 9:00 am-1:00 pm, or by appointment.

Moody's Investor's Service Article regarding Reassessments

NJ TAXPAYER BILL OF RIGHTS

You may be eligible for one of more of the following tax deductions. If you have not already applied and you meet the requirements, you can pick up an application from your local Tax Assessor, Tax Collector or find it online at the New Jersey State Department of Taxation website.

Senior Citizen Deduction

To be eligible for this deduction you must be age 65 or over as of December 31st of pre-tax year.

Ownership and / or life rights to the property, as well as claiming the property in question as your principal residence as of October 1 of the pre-tax year.

Income limit of $10,000.00 or less after the exclusion of ONE of the following: Social Security, railroad retirement or government pension (limit is maximum Social Security amount). Include income of spouse.

Surviving spouse may also be eligible, but must be 55 years old or older and not remarried.

Permanently or Totally Disabled Persons Deduction

Must meet all the requirements of the senior deduction except age requirement. The applicant must have been declared permanently and totally disabled by Social Security (form SSA-30) or by a physician.

If you are receiving a Senior Citizen or Disabled deduction, you must file an Annual Post Tax Year Statement on or before March 1st of the post tax year.

Veteran Deduction

Must have had active wartime service in the US Armed Forces and been honorably discharged (copy of DD214). Must be a citizen and resident of N.J. and have owned the property by October 1 of the pre-tax year. Wartime service dates are listed on application.

Surviving spouse must comply with the above and not be remarried. The Veteran had to have been a resident of the State of New Jersey at the time of his/her death.

100% Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption

100% Totally and permanently Disabled Veterans and surviving spouses of Disabled Veterans who have not remarried may be exempt from property taxes if they meet all the requirements. Requirements include:

Active wartime service in the US Armed Forces

Honorable Discharge

Ownership and occupancy of dwelling as principal residence

Must be a citizen and domiciliary resident of New Jersey

Have a United States Veterans Administration certification of wartime service-connected disability as described on the form or other wartime service-connected disability that is totally disabling and 100% permanent in accordance with the VA Schedule and not so evaluated because of hospitalization or surgery and recuperation.

Surviving spouse of veteran who died on active wartime duty may also qualify.

Property Tax Reimbursement (Freeze)

Homeowners, age 65 or older, or receiving Social Security disability benefits, who paid property taxes on their principal residence in New Jersey may be eligible. Applicants must be NJ residents for at least the past ten years, lived in the home for which reimbursement is claimed for at least the last three years, and meet certain income limits. Applicants must meet all requirements for both the base year and the reimbursement year.